Domestic Couple ~ St Moritz
An experienced domestic couple are required to work in a very large, newly constructed, hi-tech luxury chalet close to St Moritz. This is a permanent position for a couple who are seeking a stable and secure long term role working 5/6 days per week alongside the seasonal housekeeping staff as well as the personal maids, valets, butlers, chefs etc who travel with the Principal and their guests. The property will be used by the European employers each year from mid-January to mid/late-March; very occasionally one of them may visit for a long weekend outside of the winter high season months. The position provides the caretaker couple with a new ground floor, one bedroom apartment.
Duties will include:
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General housekeeping
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Overall year round care and interior cleaning of the chalet
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Assisting Principal’s travelling staff where necessary
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Occasional informal table service
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Prepare simple continental breakfasts if required
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General property/pool/spa maintenance
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Clearing of snow
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Assist with heavier housekeeping duties
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Driving
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Liaising with suppliers and technicians
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Daily monitoring of all household systems
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Daily property maintenance
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Liaising with Principal’s estates manager
Requirements:
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Excellent relevant prior experience
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Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
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Both of the couple must speak English
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One of the couple must speak German, spoken Polish an advantage though not essential
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Good handyman/maintenance skills
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Flexible approach when Principals are in residence (time off given ‘in lieu’)
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Must like dogs (two small ones belonging to employer)
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Knowledge of HVAC systems
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Essential that one of the couple is very IT ‘savvy’
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Able to be trained by technicians in numerous household/spa/pool IT systems
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Excellent letters of reference from previous employers
The couple should have a flexible ‘can do’ approach as when Principals are in residence the couple will work long hours, 6 days per week. The days off will not always given to each of the couple on the same day or on the same days from week to week, they will be arranged according to the needs of the Principal that week.
Salary: CHF 120k gross pa
Start date: November ‘23
Domestic Couple ~ Avignon
Our Australian clients are seeking a professional, experienced and multi-skilled domestic couple to take over from the current caretaking couple who are retiring after working at the property for several years. The large rural property located just south of Avignon, has 9 bedrooms and extensive landscaped gardens. It is a family property and is used by various family members throughout the summer months. During this busy period the workload is heavy, long hours/days will be required and any overtime worked will be given back as time off ‘in lieu’ when the employers are not in residence. The property is generally used in the summer months for around 16 weeks per year.
The male of the couple must be prepared to assist his partner with housekeeping and general guest service during the busy summer periods; family-style cooking, (continental breakfast, a light lunch and a one course dinner), is required daily when the property is in use; cooking services can be provided by either of the couple. This type of role requires a couple who will happily share each others workload at various times of the year.
Duties will include:
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5* Housekeeping and laundry
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Family-style cooking (salads/pastas/grilled meats & fish etc)
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Setting and clearing of tables
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Household budgeting/expense control
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Monthly accounts
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Gardening
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Harvesting of fruits and vegetables
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House maintenance
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Pool care
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Occasional driving
Requirements:
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Prior domestic couple experience in villa or chalet
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Excellent experience in housekeeping, laundry etc
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Good cookery skills
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Knowledge of informal table/guest service
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Excellent gardening knowledge or a willingness to learn necessary skills
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Able to prepare simple accounts
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Good DIY skills
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Both of the couple to have driving licenses
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Fluent English/Some spoken French an advantage
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Excellent letters of reference
A one bedroom apartment is offered as accommodation with this role and the employers are happy to consider couples with a dog or cat. The retiring couple will be leaving mid to late December therefore the new couple should be available to start late December to mid-January.
Salary: TBD
Start date: TBD
Domestic Couple ~ Vence POSITION NOW FILLED
A very experienced domestic couple is required to handle the day-to-day running, maintenance and upkeep of a large luxury villa located close to Vence. The owners are generally in residence for 3 months per year, mainly in the high season at which time a 7* level of service is required; a seasonal chef and additional service and housekeeping staff are employed in the summer months however for the rest of the year the resident couple will be expected to clean and maintain the property; a gardening company visits several times per week. Applicants must have extensive experience of running this type of high level, high service property with a strong record of providing discreet and seamless guest services.
Interior duties will include:
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5* Housekeeping and laundry
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Light, healthy cooking in absence of chef
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Prepare breakfast when required
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Inventory and stock control
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Occasional table service
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Laying of tables
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Flower arranging
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Overseeing seasonal teams
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Liaising with suppliers and contractors
Exterior duties will include:
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Backing up contracted gardening company
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Mowing and general garden maintenance
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General handyman and minor maintenance
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Appliance and vehicle maintenance
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Pool maintenance
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Setting out and closing up of pool areas morning and evening
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Troubleshooting
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Preparing monthly reports for local property manager
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Liaising with contractors and suppliers
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Driving
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Shopping and errands
A caretaker apartment located on the property is offered as accommodation with this role. Candidates must be able to speak fluent English and conversational French, have excellent letters of reference and have either EU nationality or valid documentation allowing employment in France.
Salary: TBD
Start date: TBD
Please note: Applicants for positions based in France MUST have a current working visa/carte de sejour or be the holder of an EU passport